Rogue One is 'set in a Jedi-less era'

'Rogue One' is "set in an era where there are no Jedi", according to director Gareth Edwards

'Star Wars' spin-off movie 'Rogue One' is "set in an era where there are no Jedi".

The eagerly-awaited Gareth Edwards-directed film, which is set within the Star Wars universe and runs parallel to the main saga's storyline, has been previewed at the Star Wars Celebration event in the Anaheim Convention Centre and Edwards has given fans a few clues as to what they can expect.

Edwards explained: "It's set in an era where there are no Jedi, or they're all but extinct.

"It's about the fact that God's not coming to save us. We're on our own - and we have to do this ourselves and turn around.

"The absence of the Jedi is omnipresent - it hangs over the whole movie - and it comes down to a group of individuals that don't have magical powers but have to somehow bring hope to the galaxy."

'Rogue One' will star English actress Felicity Jones and will follow the Rebel soldiers who steal the Death Star plans in the time before 'A New Hope'.

The movie is due to be released in December 2016, which is a year after 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'.

Troublemaker Jyn Erso (Jones) and Rebel intelligence officer Cassian Andor (Luna) lead a rag crew across the galaxy to make contact with Death Star chief engineer Galen (Mikkelsen), Jyn's dad. This is Star Wars from the trenches, with sensational battle scenes and great performances from Jones and Luna.